The Madrid derby is set to take place this weekend in the La Liga, and it sure promises to be a cracker.

Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane would be keen on breaking Atletico Madrid’s stranglehold at the last Madrid derby at the Vincente Calderon Stadium.

For a very long time, Real were always winners when both sides met. However, Diego Simeone singlehandedly changed such records. Since a 2-1 win at the Calderon three years back, their city rivals have won four games and two have ended in a draw.

“He is a coach with a unique capacity to communicate, that’s why he has got where he is and why he was able to dig us out of the trouble we were in. With one look or gesture, he’s able to speak to any player, and that’s why at the moment the most important thing for this club is the fact that we have Simeone with us,” Gabi, Atletico captain said.

Currently, Real Madrid seem to have better form even though they have their own vulnerabilities. In the last 30 minutes of La Liga clashes this term, Atletico have scored 16 goals while Madrid’s defences have suffered more. Within this time, Kevin Gameiro, Yannick Carrasco, Nico Gaitan, Fernando Torres have all gotten at least two goals. Star striker Antoine Griezmann has scored four goals within the final half of the second half this term. All this point to the fact that Real Madrid could play well all through the duel, but concede in the final minutes.

Atletico would be wary of allowing Madrid stretch the difference between them to 9 points this early in the season if they get a victory. Madrid on the other hand would want to avoid a slip-up considering that close competition Barcelona would host Malaga before they play. Sergio Ramos is set to return, but Alvaro Morata and Toni Kroos are sidelined.